cannabisnews.com: Attorney General Signals Shift in Marijuana Policy





Attorney General Signals Shift in Marijuana Policy
Posted by CN Staff on March 18, 2009 at 14:00:55 PT
By Devlin Barrett, Associated Press Writer
Source: Associated Press
Washington, D.C. -- Attorney General Eric Holder signaled a change on medical marijuana policy Wednesday, saying federal agents will target marijuana distributors only when they violate both federal and state law.That would be a departure from the Bush administration, which targeted medical marijuana dispensaries in California even if they complied with that state's law.
"The policy is to go after those people who violate both federal and state law," Holder said in a question-and-answer session with reporters at the Justice Department.California law permits the sale of marijuana for medical purposes, though it still is against federal law.Holder did not spell out exactly who no longer would face the prospect of raids by the Drug Enforcement Administration. But he was quick to add that law enforcement officers will target anyone who tries to "use medical marijuana laws as a shield" for other illegal activity."Given the limited resources that we have, our focus will be on people, organizations that are growing, cultivating substantial amounts of marijuana and doing so in a way that's inconsistent with federal and state law," the attorney general said.Advocates and government officials had been waiting since President Barack Obama was sworn into office for a clear signal on what the new president's drug policy would be toward medical marijuana. As a candidate, he repeatedly promised a change in policy in situations in which state laws allow the use of medical marijuana.Yet shortly after Obama took office, DEA agents raided four dispensaries in Los Angeles, prompting confusion about the government's plans.Thirteen states have laws permitting medicinal use of marijuana. California is unique among them for the presence of dispensaries, which are businesses that sell marijuana and even advertise their services. Legal under California law, such dispensaries are still illegal under federal law.Source: Associated Press (Wire)Author: Devlin Barrett, Associated Press WriterPublished: March 18, 2009Copyright: 2009 The Associated PressCannabisNews Medical Marijuana Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/medical.shtml
Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help




Comment #17 posted by Storm Crow on March 19, 2009 at 06:13:26 PT
And while we're at it...
Free Stephanie Landa! She did everything she could to be "California legal" and still ended up in prison! If you'd like to drop her a line, her address is -Stephanie Landa # 09247-800
FCI
5701 8th Street, Unit A
Dublin, Ca 94568Letters take her (mentally, at least) out of that place! Even a picture postcard would be cool. 
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #16 posted by FoM on March 19, 2009 at 06:07:01 PT
Hope
I am so far away from being a lawyer I have no idea how Charles Lynch and others will be figured into this. I hope it works out for all those caught in this tangled web.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #15 posted by Hope on March 19, 2009 at 05:54:51 PT
Drop the charges against Charles Lynch!
Now!
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #14 posted by FoM on March 18, 2009 at 17:58:46 PT
Pot Clubs Welcome Shift in White House Policy
 Wednesday, March 18, 2009 
WASHINGTON (KCBS/AP) -- Attorney General Eric Holder signaled a change on medical marijuana policy Wednesday, saying federal agents will target marijuana distributors only when they violate both federal and state law. 
That would be a departure from the policy of the Bush administration, which targeted medical marijuana dispensaries in California even if they complied with that state's law."The policy is to go after those people who violate both federal and state law," Holder said in a question-and-answer session with reporters at the Justice Department.Medical marijuana advocates in California welcomed the news, but said they still worried about the pending cases of those already in court on drug charges.KCBS' Margie Shafer Reports: http://podcast.kcbs.com/kcbs/1642044.mp3California law permits the sale of marijuana for medical purposes, though it still is against federal law.Holder did not spell out exactly who no longer would face the prospect of raids by the Drug Enforcement Administration. But he was quick to add that law enforcement officers will target anyone who tries to "use medical marijuana laws as a shield" for other illegal activity."Given the limited resources that we have, our focus will be on people, organizations that are growing, cultivating substantial amounts of marijuana and doing so in a way that's inconsistent with federal and state law," the attorney general said.Advocates and government officials had been waiting since President Barack Obama was sworn into office for a clear signal on what the new president's drug policy would be toward medical marijuana. As a candidate, he repeatedly promised a change in policy in situations in which state laws allow the use of medical marijuana.Yet shortly after Obama took office, DEA agents raided four dispensaries in Los Angeles, prompting confusion about the government's plans.Thirteen states have laws permitting medicinal use of marijuana. California is unique among them for the presence of dispensaries, which are businesses that sell marijuana and even advertise their services. Legal under California law, such dispensaries are still illegal under federal law.Kris Hermes, a spokesman for national medical marijuana advocacy group Americans for Safe Access, said he welcomed Holder's perspective."It signals a new direction and a more reasonable and sensible direction on medical marijuana policy," he said.Still, Hermes said his Oakland-based organization was concerned about the fate of more than two dozen California medical marijuana cases currently pending in federal court."There remains a big question as to what the federal government's position is on those cases," Hermes said. He pointed specifically to the case of Charles Lynch, who was federally convicted for running a medical marijuana dispensary collective in San Luis Obispo County last year.Hermes said Lynch could face decades in prison when he is sentenced Monday even though his clinic had been compliant with state law.According to the government's sentencing recommendation for Lynch, which says the five-year mandatory minimum prison term is an appropriate one, Lynch had violated California state law because his "operation was rife with activities having more to do with business and casual drug distribution than anything medical."U.S. attorney's office spokesman Thom Mrozek declined to comment on what would happen to the outstanding marijuana cases in the Los Angeles area. Copyright 2009, KCBShttp://www.kcbs.com/Pot-Clubs-Welcome-Shift-in-White-House-Policy/4044144
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #13 posted by FoM on March 18, 2009 at 17:46:16 PT
Sam
I have this thought. President Obama will do or did a town hall meeting in Los Angeles today or tomorrow. If someone has a good question and gets called on he will answer. 
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #12 posted by Sam Adams on March 18, 2009 at 17:41:16 PT
Timing
Could this be due to the Al Roker and John Stossel shows over the weekend? I am hoping there is more news forthcoming about sentencing & dropping existing prosecutions.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #11 posted by FoM on March 18, 2009 at 16:32:03 PT
News From The LA Times Blog
Change in federal medical marijuana rules could affect California [UPDATED]March 18, 2009URL: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/03/object-idwnvide.html
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #10 posted by FoM on March 18, 2009 at 16:21:51 PT
News From SF Weekly Blog
Groovy: Marijuana Advocates Ecstatic About Attorney General's New Pot Policy -- See Boost for Ammiano Legalization BillURL: http://blogs.sfweekly.com/thesnitch/2009/03/groovy_marijuana_advocates_ecs.php
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #9 posted by FoM on March 18, 2009 at 16:18:56 PT
First Medical Marijuana Producer in NM Approved 
 March 18, 2009ALBUQUERQUE (AP) - The state Department of Health has licensed a nonprofit business to produce medical marijuana. It's the first business approved under a state program that allows patients with specified conditions to have and use small amounts of marijuana.The department won't release the name of the business or where it is located, however. Department spokeswoman Deborah Busemeyer says that's to ensure that the supply is safe and that patients visiting the producer would not be put in jeopardy.She also says no one challenged the secrecy aspect in public hearings over regulations the department drew up to implement the medical cannabis program that went into effect in July 2007.The Health Department will tell patients how to contact the producer. Patient privacy requirements prevents the department from giving patient information to the producer. Copyright: 2009 by The Associated Presshttp://www.kob.com/article/stories/S838746.shtml
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #8 posted by FoM on March 18, 2009 at 16:11:09 PT
The Case for a Domestic Marijuana Industry
URL: http://experts.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2009/03/17/the_case_for_a_domestic_marijuana_industry
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #7 posted by FoM on March 18, 2009 at 16:06:45 PT
Cheebs1 
I wanted to mention if you post the link where it says link url and it's a little long it will break. You can use a tiny url and it will fit fine or post it directly in the comment section. 
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #6 posted by FoM on March 18, 2009 at 16:01:20 PT
Expanded Associated Press Article
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2008882981_apusmedicalmarijuana.html
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #5 posted by Cheebs1 on March 18, 2009 at 16:00:23 PT:
United Nations Changing How They View the Drug War
It turns out that it isn't up to the President Obama on whether or not he can legalize. According to this article it has to voted on and passed by U.N.Any country found to not be in accordance with U.N. policies can have many trade embargos and other types of punishment levied against them. This article from Australia shows that people around the globe are realizing it's not the marijuana that causes harm but the prohibition of marijuana that does. Check out the article and see that maybe there is hope it just comes in 10 year intervals. 
http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-world/cannabis-laws-cause-harm-au
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #4 posted by FoM on March 18, 2009 at 15:56:33 PT
EAH 
I personally always said that in a war there is always a last soldier killed. It might be too late for some people but it should be a good beginning for many too.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #3 posted by FoM on March 18, 2009 at 15:54:25 PT
PA: Cohen Will Push for Medical Marijuana 
 March 18, 2009PHILADELPHIA -- State Rep. Mark Cohen said Wednesday that he will introduce a bill as soon as next month to legalize medical marijuana in Pennsylvania.Cohen said he decided to have the measure drafted after he was interviewed for a story in Wednesday's Metro about legalizing marijuana to help the city and state overcome budget problems and getting almost all positive responses on Facebook, PhillyBlog and elsewhere."It's easier when you have public support to get legislation through," said Cohen, who gave the bill a 50-50 shot of passing in the next few years. "I think it's something that has a good chance of being taken seriously in the Legislature."Cohen said the bill will be modeled after the New Jersey Compassionate Medical Marijuana Act, which was passed by the New Jersey Senate last month. The state Assembly has yet to begin debating the measure, which Gov. Jon Corzine has said he would sign.Thirteen states already allow medical marijuana, as opposition to the drug for medical reasons seems to be waning and many medical professionals support these measures. The New Jersey Nurses Association and the Academy of Family Physicians are among the groups who support the bill."Most of these efforts are the result of grassroots campaigns by locals who have taken it upon themselves [to inform] legislators about medical use and the many questions surrounding it," says Robert Dougherty, chair of Philadelphia NORML (National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws.) "And I think that the information society we live in has contributed to this uptick in support and more people are aware of the issues where some time ago the only information provided was through nationally funded anti-drug campaigns."Copyright: 2009 Metro InternationalURL: http://www.metro.us/us/article/2009/03/18/22/5737-85/index.xml
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #2 posted by EAH on March 18, 2009 at 15:35:44 PT:
But what about...
Well OK but what about prosecutions underway of people who fit that description? Sorry too late? Or those awaiting sentencing? After all this is "the Justice Dept." we're talking about, how can it be just to continue to pursue those 
while not initiating new ones? 
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #1 posted by FoM on March 18, 2009 at 14:01:30 PT
Another Small Step
It really is happening.
[ Post Comment ]


Post Comment